France vs Paraguay: Deschamps Recalls 1998 Golden Goal Win

Deschamps warns France over Paraguay threat in World Cup last 16

Ahead of France vs Paraguay, Deschamps highlighted players like Enciso and Almiron while Kylian Mbappe leads France with six goals in four games.

“Aggressiveness alone won't beat Paraguay,” Deschamps Warns France...

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s round of 16 tie, France coach Didier Deschamps said Paraguay are a “good team” and cautioned that their win over Germany came from more than just intensity.

The Albirroja knocked Germany out in the round of 32 on penalties. They also made it through the group stage as one of the eight best third-placed teams, finishing behind the USA, Australia and Turkey.

France manager Didier Deschamps isn’t surprised by Paraguay’s best-ever tournament run. Unlike Desire Doue, who spoke at the same press conference, Deschamps didn’t credit their success, even partly, to an aggressive style of play.

“Paraguay didn't just come out of nowhere. Like all South American teams, they have a big heart. It's not aggressiveness that wins a match,” Deschamps said.

“It's a team that knows its football well. They have good players: Enciso, Almiron... They know each other, they do things well. But that's not all.”

1998 Reunion: France's Didier Deschamps (R) battles Paraguay's Carlos Paredes at the 1998 FIFA World Cup

France forward Kylian Mbappe has grabbed the headlines with six goals in four games, but Deschamps says it’s a subtler quality in his squad that’s making the real difference.

"We talk about the attack because we're scoring goals. But between the defensive line and the attack, there's the midfield. Whether it's Aurélien (Tchouameni), Adrien (Rabiot), or Manu (Kone), they provide balance and pressing. You can't separate the lines. It's a puzzle, you need to have connections.”

Saturday’s clash between France and Paraguay isn’t their first World Cup meeting. Deschamps was there in 1998 when France knocked the South Americans out in the round of 16. That game was settled by Laurent Blanc’s golden goal - a moment that brought a smile to Deschamps’ face.

“My players weren't born at that time, but I remember it. It was an important moment for me, for France. It was a tough match; it's part of football history, of World Cup history. Today, it's a different match, but Paraguay's qualities are the same.”